How to find the perfect job

This book has been published with all types of job seekers in mind. Written by an individual who knows what works, what doesn't work, and who truly wants to make a difference in the lives of job seekers, this book covers everything a job seeker needs to know and must know for success. Finding a job is hard work and definitely requires some skill. This book will help develop those skills so that you can find the job you want now.

Priorities are a must. There are only a few things in life that are vitally important. A job should rank towards the top of your list, right along with family. A job is the lifeblood of your being, and allows for all other areas of life to be possible: work creates the means by which you are able to live, and can reward in ways other than money.

The job you choose to do should be rewarding and enjoyable. You will spend years doing your job, so you should be doing something enjoyables and not a job you loathe. While every day may not be rewarding, a job should be overall an accomplishment and make one feel good. The money that is gained from a job allows us to enjoy other things in life, such as having a nice home, reliable car, and to enjoy luxuries we might not otherwise have. Having a job frees us from some or all financial worries that we would have with no job or a limited income. This book helps find that job and free you from financial worry.

Many people have used this book and made their way to the top. Why shouldn't you find the job of your dreams that also pays you well? Step by step, this book will help you find the job you have been dreaming of and that fits you best. After figuring out what your dream job is, then there will be advice on how to create a dazzling cover letter and resume to send off to get that job. Following that, you are going to need to know how to master the interview process. Interview tips are included, with specific do's and don'ts to help you get what you want.

Most people choose a career that is not true to their character. Either the monetary compensation sounded good or at the time they just didn't know what else to do, so that was the job they settled for. What happens when a job isn't the right job? You end up unhappy, confused, burned out, irritable. Someone who is unhappy doing the job they are doing cannot possibly do their best for themselves or for the business they are working for. How do you find the right job, if your current job isn't right for you? There are books and online sites that offer self-assessment tests to help one decide what to do. Another resource is career counseling, available at some colleges and some local community centers. Take advantage of resources like these, find out more about yourself and what you want to do, and then take that knowledge to explore a career that makes you want to get out of bed in the morning. There are basic questions that all job seekers can ask themselves to get started on the path of self-exploration and a better job. These questions should be answered truthfully, and there are no incorrect answers:

Which do you prefer - planning to do things or acting impulsively?

Do you like to explain things with metaphors or with facts?

Do you like to juggle many things at once or work on one thing at a time?

Do you prefer talking to listening, or vice versa?

Are you generally rigid or flexible?

Do you function better in a 'think tank' or in a solitary environment?

Do you like change or the status quo?

Do you prefer things that are new or things that are familiar?

Do you like being a team player or a team leader?

Do you make decisions based on evidence or intuition?

Are you generally prompt or tardy?

Are you empathetic or insensitive?

Are you a dreamer or more-reality based?

Are you a people person or a lone wolf? How do you relate to others?

These answers can be taken and applied towards things you have considered doing but never done. Maybe you didn't realise you like people and are tired of being shoved in a cubicle all day? Find out more about your personality and skills, then act on those mixed with your desires to find a better job for yourself.

Once you have decided that a new job is what you want, and have gathered direction about what you want to do, make sure to pause and analyse the reasons you are seeking the job change. Are you being reasonable? Are you in true need of a change and are you willing to do everything needed to make that change happen? This examination of your desire for change will reaffirm if you are truly dedicated to the job search process. If you are not dedicated, then your odds of doing well at looking for a new job are lessened. If you decide that change is truly for you, define a specific career and decide what you want in both a job and an employer. Then begin to search for a match to all the criteria you have set forth. Once you have defined what you want, you will know how to search better for a new job. More than seventy percent of people in the world are unhappy in the job they do. Change this for yourself and become one of the people that like going to work in the morning!

Most people spend more of their waking day with work colleagues and clients than what they do at home. You want an office environment that you are happy with, or as the largest part of your day will be spent miserably and then carry over into home life.

You will be unhappy at work, at home, when you are on vacation, when you sit down to pay bills, when you are spending time with your significant other. Everything will be dark and negative. But you can do something about it by finding a job you like. A bad job begins a negative spiral that can destroy life and make it unbearable.

Financially speaking, one should always be looking to better their position. With consumer debt on the rise and most people carrying substantial debt, this can be incentive to can a job in favor of a more rewarding paycheck found at another company. If you enjoy your work, you won't mind the dedication, which can equal a bigger paycheck and bank balance. You will spend less time trying to escape the negative feelings towards life you have as a result of a job that may increase your debt load. When people are unhappy they tend to indulge in ways that escape reality, including excessive shopping, drinking, and other activities that can come with a heavy price tag. Find a better job and it might put more money in your pocket.

When you are hunting for a job, you must be careful of the image you project to prospective employers. You do not want to seem too needy or overbearing, as that kind of behavior can be a turnoff to hiring managers. Simply how you word your answers during an interview can portray an image of neediness so be careful! Saying things like 'My lazy boss takes credit for everything I do' and 'They can't do anything right without me there' can reflect negatively on you, even though that is not the intent. On the flip side, if you find these truths to be self-evident, and they sound like something you want to say, then find a better work environment. That is a sign that you need a new job. There are companies out there who do truly appreciate their employees and the efforts they extend; find a company that knows how to say thank you and you will be much happier.

Don't think of wanting more pay as being greedy, think of this motivation as knowing you are underappreciated and not being properly compensated for the work that you do. When you know you are not in the right job and not making the money that you could be earning, this means you are being realistic. But don't complain about it and then do nothing! Get your job search going, and use some great tips provided in this book. There are certain things you must do, such as research what your true market value is, while conducting a job search. It is important to know how much money to ask for once the interview has went well and the job is offered to you. Knowing what you are worth and how your pay measures to that of others will help you decide if a job search is a wise choice or if you should stay where you are at for now.

Out of these four factors, which matters the most to you? Money, status, career, and environment are all important in regards to a job. Decide in what order they are most important to you and why, and this decision can help you make decisions about jobs during your job search. If money is your motivation, remember that there's more to 'money' than just your take-home pay. Money can include things like good health insurance, bonuses, travel reimbursement, and paid vacation days. Some things are more important than money, like being able to get time off when needed. Keep all aspects of what 'money' truly means in mind. As for status, some people can live without a prestigious title where others like their name in brass letters and the aura that surrounds a good job title. If it matters to you what your job is officially listed as, then decide what is the bare minimum you are willing to accept and go for nothing less than what you will be satisfied with. Allow for the potential to grow and change roles within the company, as this can add to the appeal. You may not get to begin at a high level but if the opportunity for advancement exists, then...why not? As for looking at things from a career perspective, decide how important having an eventful career truly is. Some people are willing to take a step sideways and change to another company for a new experience while others will only leave one company for a certain level of advancement or higher. When deciding to make a career change, do you have the skills necessary to advance to a different level within your company or another company? Consider your skill level carefully when considering a job change. And for environment, something as small as your work environment can matter a lot more than money as it can play on how happy you are overall. If you are making mega bucks but are crammed in a tiny cubicle with three other loud people who fight, you are going to hate going to work everyday and eventually will quit. 'Environment' also encompasses how far you drive and physical surroundings at work, not just other people. Company size also matters, because if you are not comfortable working in a large or small company then you will not function well. Consider what will make you happy and settle for no less than happiness.

There's a fine line between a good resume and a bad resume. A resume offers a few seconds to impress and is usually the one and only chance you get to get your foot in the door. Things as small as font size that seem irrelevant, or maybe having a lot of details, can be a turnoff for one employer but be appealing to another. Try to tailor your resume to fit each specific job that you apply to and use a cover letter to relay specifics about your qualifications. Each resume should have a cover letter with it, and addressed to a specific person whenever possible. Try to use an easy to read font, neutral paper, and keep it short. For specific information, there's a wealth of it on the internet and in resume books. Try to create several varieties of your resume and change them up when applying. Make sure that basic information is listed in each one, such as address, qualifications, education, and skills. Finally, avoid lying on a resume as it is sure to catch up to you later on. Being truthful will win out over a lie in the long run. When constructing a resume, consult a good book on formatting, good action words to use, and structural integrity. Have a reliable person look it over for content and errors. Errors can cause your resume to be trashed, even if it is something as small as a typo.

Cover letters should be kept precise but informative about your job skills. A cover letter is an introduction to you, and a marketing tool to make you stand out from your competition. Tell why you are writing to the company (you want a job!) and about your work history, qualifications, and education. Just the basics are needed; you can tell more about yourself during the interview process. And truthfulness applies to cover letters just like resumes: don't lie!

Interview preparation can take a small amount of time but can make a big difference. Plan out your travel route in advance, and make sure you allow extra time to reach your destination. Clothes should be pressed and ready, and conservative in manner. Hair and makeup should also be conservative and use time the night before to play with specific looks to find what makes you look best. Shoes should look good and match appropriately, and fingernails should be neat and manicured. Refrain from heavy cologne, heavy makeup, or trying a new look the day of your interview. Arrive early and know who you will be interviewing with. Try to practice the interview beforehand and anticipate your answers to questions that may be asked of you.

Know a little bit about the company for the interview. Research their goals and current stats, as most employers will ask you for a general overview of their company to see if you are truly interested. Exude knowledge and be selective in your answers, as this can make or break your job opportunity. Most employers go with two interviews of different lengths and will either offer a third interview or will go ahead and extend an offer after the second interview. If you are not sure about what to expect, there are books and information on the internet about interviews to help you prepare. Most companies are similar in interview structuring. Save any mention of wages until at least the end of the second interview, and wait until the employer brings up the topic. There are certain do's and dont's to the interview structure for both sides. Watch your behavior but also know that there are certain questions you should not be asked and have the right to refuse to answer. Matters such as personal religion, wanting to start a family, and other personal topics should be off limits. At the conclusion of the interview, thank the interviewer for their time, but also send a personal thank-you note within a day after the interview was concluded. This can help them when they are deciding on whom to hire, as it gets your name into the limelight one more time.